Gone are the days when we needed to go online at ungodly hours just to get decent Internet speed while on dial-up. Thanks to fiber-optic Internet, family members can all go online at the same time and do activities without experiencing any slowdown. But, of course, not all internet speeds are created equal. If you’re signing up for a PLDT Home Fiber Plus Plan for your family or an additional MyOwnWiFi solely for your use, choosing the right plan for your household connection needs is crucial.
So what Internet speed do you really need? As the number of users and connected devices in your home increases, so does the bandwidth they use. Here’s a breakdown based on the common number of users and their consumption, so you can get the best plan that suits your needs—and budget.
A family of three, with a young child:
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Suppose mom, dad, and their child use one device each for basic tasks—web surfing, checking email and social media, plus moderate video streaming on HD quality. In that case, the recommended download speed will be around 50 Mbps. (Learn more about fast Internet connection speeds here.)
According to Popular Science, most streaming platforms like YouTube, Viu, or HBO Go use around 5 Mbps to stream HD videos. That’s already 15 Mbps of download speed per device. Factor in other tasks, and you’ll likely need a plan that gets around 50 Mbps monthly, so you can spend time on the Internet comfortably and without lag.
A family of five, with older kids:
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Let’s say each family member owns one or two devices per person and uses them differently. Mom does live selling, while dad works from home, and some of the kids do hybrid learning. With five to 10 devices and varied usage, the comfortable speed would be around 150 to 200 Mbps.
Most platforms recommend around 10 to 15 Mbps of upload speed for live streaming, while video conferencing programs like Zoom need a minimum of 1.5 Mbps (both for upload and download) for group calls. Of course, you also need to factor in what other programs are open while you are using these platforms. Buffering, delays with video and audio, and other interruptions can still happen if all devices in the household are connected simultaneously.
If you’re working from home, one of the requirements your employer would likely require is a screenshot of your Internet speed. This is especially true for those who have foreign clients. Most work-from-home jobs ask for a connection speed of at least 10-25 Mbps.
For users who need a more powerful and consistent connection, PLDT Home Fiber’s MyOwnWiFi may be just what you need. It’s an add-on subscription that gives you a secondary Internet connection on top of your PLDT Home Fiber account. Plans start at 25 Mbps and can go as high as 400 Mbps, with an identical speed as your existing PLDT Home Fiber plan.
A family of more than five
If you have more than five people in the household (perhaps an extended family with lolo and lola), you should consider at least 200 Mbps or more just so everyone has a smooth online experience. If some of these individuals work from home, regularly play games online, and stream lots of high-resolution videos, they’ll need faster Internet speed than usual.
Video often hogs the bandwidth the most, so it helps to look for an Internet plan that can accommodate your viewing habits. Another thing to think about: If you have a smart home, you’ll want to ensure your Internet speed has the bandwidth to cover all your gadgets, especially if you’re using these devices consistently.
Having two connections under one plan can make life simpler and faster for families with extra needs. Gain that extra boost with a MyOwnWiFi subscription and get the most out of your PLDT Home Fiber Plan. It’s a win-win for the whole household!